Genesis 46:34 kjv

That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Genesis 46:34 nkjv

that you shall say, 'Your servants' occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,' that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."

Genesis 46:34 niv

you should answer, 'Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.' Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians."

Genesis 46:34 esv

you shall say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,' in order that you may dwell in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."

Genesis 46:34 nlt

you must tell him, 'We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.' When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds."

Genesis 46 verses

Genesis 46 34 Meaning

This verse contains Joseph's direct instruction to his family on how to answer Pharaoh when questioned about their occupation. It outlines a strategy to ensure they settle in a distinct region within Egypt—the land of Goshen. The core reason for this instruction is the deeply held cultural prejudice of the Egyptians against shepherds, whom they considered an abomination. By declaring themselves hereditary shepherds, Joseph secures a separation that will allow his family to maintain their unique identity, lifestyle, and eventually, their covenant with God, apart from Egyptian religious and social influence.

Genesis 46 34 Context

Genesis 46 records Jacob's descent into Egypt with his entire household at Joseph's invitation and Pharaoh's decree. Joseph's primary concern is to protect his family's distinct identity and the Abrahamic covenant. Upon their arrival, Joseph plans to introduce his family to Pharaoh. He understands the Egyptian worldview and social structure, which dictates that occupations like shepherding, essential to Abraham's nomadic and pastoral descendants, are viewed with contempt. This chapter, therefore, serves as a pivotal transition, orchestrating the initial segregation of God's chosen people within a foreign land to prevent their assimilation and maintain their unique cultural and religious practices.

Genesis 46 34 Word analysis

• and ye shall say: This introduces Joseph's specific instructions, indicating a carefully premeditated strategy, not a spontaneous remark.
• Thy servants: A polite, humble address, standard for approaching royalty. It signals deference to Pharaoh's authority.
• have been keepers of livestock: The Hebrew is מִקְנֶה (miqneh), meaning "livestock" or "flock," but often referring to large herds. This phrase, combined with "from our youth," indicates a lifelong and inherited profession. It emphasizes their sole reliance on animal husbandry, making them distinct from agrarian Egyptians.
• from our youth even until now: מִנְּעוּרֵינוּ (minn'ureinu) underscores that shepherding is not a temporary pursuit but an inherent, generational aspect of their identity and way of life. This declaration implies stability and dedication to their occupation, preventing any expectation of them taking up agricultural roles or assimilating into Egyptian society.
• both we, and our fathers: This confirms the profession as an ancestral calling, a core part of their lineage and heritage. It establishes a deep-rooted vocational identity across generations.
• that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen: This is the direct purpose of the proposed answer. The location Goshen (גֹּשֶׁן Goshen) was strategic – likely fertile land in the eastern Nile Delta, suitable for livestock and close enough for Joseph to provision them, yet geographically separated from the main Egyptian populace, reducing interaction and assimilation. It implies a request for permission to establish themselves permanently in this distinct region.
• for every shepherd: This generalizes the Egyptian sentiment, indicating it's not merely against Jacob's family, but against the occupation itself. It highlights a widespread cultural antipathy.
• is an abomination unto the Egyptians: The Hebrew word is תּוֹעֵבָה (to'evah), meaning "a detestable thing," "an impurity," "something abhorrent" or "loathsome." This term is used frequently in the Torah to describe practices that are ritually or morally unclean, an offense, or utterly disgusting. Here, it signifies the strong religious, social, and cultural aversion of the Egyptians towards shepherds. Their priestly and agricultural society likely viewed nomadic herders as ritually unclean, uncivilized, and perhaps recalling foreign invaders like the Hyksos who had a pastoral background. This "abomination" is the key to their proposed segregation.

• "keepers of livestock ... abomination unto the Egyptians": This phrase-group reveals a deliberate strategic choice by Joseph. By openly declaring their pastoral heritage, he leverages an Egyptian prejudice to secure geographic and social segregation for his family. This avoids the Israelites being absorbed into the intricate, polytheistic, and class-conscious society of Egypt. It sets the stage for the distinct national identity that will later emerge.
• "from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers": This emphasizes the long-standing, generational nature of their livelihood, reinforcing their commitment to their profession and thereby, to their distinctive way of life and separation from Egyptian customs. It ensures no one mistakes their stay as temporary or open to immediate assimilation.

Genesis 46 34 Bonus section

The Egyptian aversion to shepherds has been linked by scholars to several factors beyond mere social class:

• Hyksos influence: Some historical theories suggest the prejudice may have been reinforced or developed significantly following the Hyksos (foreign Semitic "shepherd kings") rule in parts of Egypt. While Jacob's family's arrival predates the main Hyksos period as commonly understood, the sentiment against foreign pastoralists could have existed or been evolving.
• Religious Purity: Egyptians placed high value on ritual purity. Handling animals, especially foreign or un-mummified ones, could have been seen as ritually defiling by their priests, who held significant sway. Their reverence for certain animals (like cattle of the god Apis) also made herding for sustenance complicated for their religious sensibilities.
• Cultural Contrast: The settled, agricultural, and urban Egyptian society valued order, predictable farming cycles, and monumental achievements. Nomadic herding life, by contrast, represented freedom, movement, and a less "civilized" or orderly existence in their eyes. This fundamentally different lifestyle would inherently lead to misunderstanding and contempt from the highly structured Egyptian society.

Genesis 46 34 Commentary

Genesis 46:34 unveils Joseph’s strategic foresight in managing the delicate integration of his family into Egypt while simultaneously ensuring their distinct identity. Recognizing the Egyptians' deep-seated cultural disdain for shepherds, Joseph instructs his family to declare their generational occupation as herdsmen. This declaration, though seemingly simple, served multiple critical purposes. Firstly, it would instinctively repel the Egyptians from seeking to fully integrate the Hebrews into their society or occupy the same prime agricultural lands. Secondly, it provided the perfect justification for their settlement in Goshen, a region on the periphery, ideally suited for grazing yet geographically removed from the central Egyptian population centers. This strategic isolation in Goshen was vital for the preservation of Israel's spiritual and cultural purity. Without constant assimilation pressures, they could maintain their covenant practices, traditions, and grow into a numerous nation, setting the stage for the Exodus. The "abomination" was not merely a social distaste; it likely had religious and cultural undertones, contrasting sharply with the sedentary, polytheistic, and heavily ritualized life of Egyptian civilization. God's providential hand is evident through Joseph's wisdom, turning a societal prejudice into a means for protecting His chosen people and preserving the covenant lineage until the appointed time.